HILLINGDON WINTER SERIES OFF THE BLOCKS

LAST season?s series winner Jason Streather was edged out in this afternoon?s opening round of the Imperial Racing Team Winter Series on the newly refurbished Hillingdon circuit in West London.

The VC St Raphael rider had to settle for second place as winner Daniel Rudd (De Laune CC) crossed the line just two seconds clear, leaving Streather to take a close sprint from Graham Galvin (Team Economic Energy).

They had avoided a crash in the closing stages when, after a touching of wheels, several riders came down. Martin Hulbert (VC Meudon) was taken to hospital with a broken collarbone and Michael Metayer (Keep Fit RT) with facial injuries.

While tomorrow (Sunday) sees the regional cyclo-cross championships in England and Wales, riders in Scotland are competing in the Glengorm Castle two-day race on the Isle of Mull.

Craig Hardie (Dunfermline CC), the Scottish series leader, soloed his way to a two-minute victory in today?s opening stage, with James Fraser-Moodie (Pedal Power RT), showing the benefit of his journey south to compete in the Notts and Derby League a week earlier, taking second place ahead of Andy Wardman (Glentress Riders).

Imperial RT Winter Series.- Round 1 (Hillingdon Circuit).- Daniel Rudd (De Laune CC) 52km in 1-14-10; 2, Jason Streather (VC St Raphael) at 2sec; 3, G. Galvin (Team Economic Energy) same time.

Glengorm Castle cyclo-cross, Isle of Mull.- Stage 1.- Craig Hardie (Dunfermline CC) 12 miles in 58-30; 2, J. Fraser-Moodie (Pedal Power RT) at 2-00; 3, A. Wardman (Glentress Riders) at 2-36.